In the summer of 2012, 16-year-old Jordin Fong met the CEO of FIRST Robotics on a flight back to California after a competition. According to Fong, he told her he wished there were a way to get more women involved in the tech industry.

Fong couldn’t even wait until the plane landed to tell her mother that she was going to make that now-shared vision a reality.

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Her coach and mother, Elena Fong, is peppy and outgoing, an unabashed advocate for not only her daughter, but all of the girls on her team.

“(Jordin) recognizes that women are the minority in this field, which is why she wanted to start an all-girls robotics team—to get more girls involved.”

So Jordin founded an all-girls robotics team at the Boys and Girls Club in Sacramento. But she didn’t stop there.

“From there,” Jordin said, “I wanted to get more students involved.”

She recognized that within inner-city communities, fields like science and technology were rarely emphasized or available to younger students. Elena proudly describes the way her daughter almost single-handedly raised awareness and resources for local children in areas that are often neglected.

“She came knocking on Boys and Girls Club’s door, and it has sincerely put STEM on the map here. Before that, they had no STEM program.”

Soft-spoken and demure, Jordin sweetly describes the process by which she founded her all-girls robotics club, mentored inner city youth in science and technology, taught the students of Shriver’s Community hospital about robotics, and recently won the Dean’s List award at the FIRST Regional Robotics Competition.

She is perpetually smiling, almost uncomfortable with the seemingly unending list of her accomplishments.

“One thing about Jordin,” Elena smiles, “is she’s very modest.”

Jordin concentrates not only on her own development, but on that of the community she has fostered at the Sacramento Boys and Girls Club.

Fong’s accomplishments are unique in that they are not just about her. Rather, they contain an element of philanthropy. Through her own endeavors in a male-dominated field, she has inspired not only other girls, but younger, inner-city children who come to the Boys and Girls Club.

“These kids have never been exposed to programming a MindStorm robot, or being on a laptop,” says Elena. “Some of them don’t even have laptops.”

Over this coming summer, Jordin plans to do a summer coding program specifically for middle school students, at the Boys and Girls Club and beyond.

Elena has observed the impact her girls have on younger students, who may, as a result, have similar tech-related aspirations.

“Those kids are inspired by being here watching these high school young ladies build a 120-pound robot.

“Those kids want to be on this team. It is about succession, and keeping this team alive.”

A four-year robotics veteran and high school senior, Jordin plans to go into mobile app design, and was one of 20 girls selected to attend “Girls Who Code,” a UC Davis-sponsored summer program. Jordin designed a motivational mobile app, which received recognition by a company called M.E., Inc. Their CEO has since contacted Fong, to ask her to join their design team.

“She has the ability to know what her generation likes,” says Elena.

Not only does Jordin know what her generation likes, she cares about her legacy, and the students who will follow in her footsteps at the Boys and Girls Club. Even as she approaches college, she plans to continue her work with the team, as a mentor.

“I’ll hopefully stay around and help keep the team up.”

While they may be an all-girls group, there is still room for certain homages to men within their team. Right now, the girls’ robots all have men’s names. Coach Elena fondly pats Michael, one of several robots in their shop. Michael is flamboyant, a glitter-covered, ombre-painted machine.

Elena laughs as she explains the rationale behind the robots’ names.

“The girls tell me it’s because they don’t have time for boys during the season!”

Jordin remains aware of the fact that her professional and educational continuation will likely take place in male-dominated fields. However, she is unwavering in her resolve.

“(The environment) will probably be a little different. But I hope I’ll stand my ground.”

The competitive spirit and talent that Jordin has developed will follow her as she continues to set an example for other women who have dreams of entering male-dominated fields.

“I can be competition also. It’s not just competition between the guys.”

Ever unselfish and eager to set an example, Fong quickly broadens her statement to include other aspiring females.

“The girls can be competition too.”

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Fong's team is a nonprofit organization; they are completely donation-based. If you're a fan of her work, consider donating- their next goal is to take their team to nationals in St Louis- they just need the funds. Here is the link to their Robotics website.

There is a "donation" button for those interested in sponsoring Team X; it's important to indicate it is for "robotics" in the description area.